Janice was a member of the “artsy-fartsy" group AE! that I belonged to for many years.

We met monthly in one another’s homes. Janice hosted us while her kitchen was

being remodeled. The large lot her house stood on hosted a variety of wildlife.

This was written in response to her remodeling angst.

for Janice

 

the towhee was

not troubled by the stove

outside your door

a concrete bath

shaded by the smoke bush

satisfied his need

the quail were

not concerned by the empty

unfinished kitchen

a pile of debris

satisfied their need

the deer was

not distressed by disarray

of human making

the plants you’ve  grown

satisfied his need

when chaos

rules your world

do not

fret

observe the towhee

quail and deer

to satisfy your need

perhaps

you’ll

hear

 the waxwings

(2006)